I bought my Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911 about four years ago, and it has been to the range only one time to make sure it works. While I intended to shoot it often, it is just too good lookin' to risk scratching it up. I've got about $2,000 tied up in this pistol and I should sell it. So far I've convinced myself that just cleaning it and admiring it is enough.

My Les Baer is like money in the bank, as I see it. I'm not sure the Thunder Ranch Special is still built today, but it is a highly regarded semi-custom pistol that should easily sell. For now, I'd rather own it than have $2,000 in a savings account.

Sorry to burst your bubble, while your Baer is a great gun, it's not a collector. They retail new for $1980, with the street price less than that.